Invest in You: The Power of Personal Development and Self-Priority

At what point do you decide to put yourself first? Is it when you have neglected yourself so much that others point out a visible change in you? Or maybe it is when you are completely depleted from pouring into other people and other things, and you realize just how much energy, time, and love you have not invested in yourself. Hell, maybe you never decide to put yourself first, but I wouldn’t suggest doing that. I would recommend embarking on a self-discovery and personal development journey, so that you not only figure out what you need, but you are also figuring out how to live differently and strive to be the best version of yourself.

I vividly recall the moment I chose to prioritize myself. It occurred when my husband and family expressed concerns that I was neglecting my well-being while taking care of others. Receiving criticism was difficult, especially since I was already aware of my situation. I had lost weight because I was so focused on meeting everyone else's needs that I neglected my own. I would feel weak, drained, stressed, and exhausted, but I felt compelled to keep going. Though I ensured my kids were well taken care of, I had ceased engaging in self-care activities that I once found essential and enjoyable. My life was completely out of balance, and I felt helpless. It was at this low point that I realized I had to make a change. This led me to start my personal development journey.

What is personal development? My definition of personal development is the act of becoming aware of your strengths and weaknesses and then choosing to invest in yourself by transforming where you are into where you want to be. This is done by taking intentional actions in changing what you see needs to be changed and what you want to be changed.

Your decision to embark on a personal development journey is inspiring. It's not just about self-care but about a deeper transformation—acknowledging your strengths and weaknesses, and actively working to turn them into something more powerful. First of all, it is not easy to be honest and open about yourself with yourself at times. For me, this was difficult because I found I wasn’t ready to admit my weaknesses. After all, when I wrote it down this became a different level of reality to me. I had to remind myself of the mission several times. When I decided to shift my mindset about it, I found that reflecting internally and listing the things that are “wrong with me” or not working in my favor can be more eye-opening than daunting. This step alone made me take stock of myself and figure out my next steps to make the changes I needed to happen. I have worked on quite a bit with myself, but the ultimate goal is to turn my weaknesses into strengths and turn my strengths into superpowers. So, I got to work on myself and in the process decided that I was going to bring other people on this journey with me.

The idea of bringing others along on my journey is also impactful. It highlights the importance of community and support, showing that while personal development is a personal journey, it does not have to be done in isolation. Sharing my experiences and growth can inspire others to take similar steps for themselves.

Embarking on your personal development journey is adding another task or responsibility to your plate, but it is a positive thing for you and should be treated like a necessity, why? Because it is… this is you finally doing for you! Especially for those of us who have support and a village, it is at times like these when we have to tap into them and take their assistance. I know that may sound stressful but think of your personal development journey as a transformation process that is going to ensure EVERYTHING in your life flows smoothly.

The personal development journey becomes a large part of your story. Your story is a testament to the strength and resilience needed to prioritize yourself, even when it feels like the hardest thing to do. It's a reminder that putting yourself first is not selfish; it's essential for your well-being and for those around you. By taking care of yourself, you become better equipped to care for others, and in the end, everyone benefits from the transformation.

I wear many hats and carry multiple titles, yet I still manage to make time for what matters to me. This realization didn't come easily, especially when life felt like it was suffocating me. I'm a wife, a parent to five children, an entrepreneur, a blogger, a podcast host, a personal development coach, and a corporate employee. Despite everything on my plate, I prioritize myself and make time for self-investment. My days are never the same, but discovering how to balance and manage my responsibilities was a significant challenge that I needed to overcome.